Bf.109G-6 / Bf.109G-6 'AS'

[Big Chudy]

Can somebody please tell me how a Bf.109G-6 differs from a Bf.109G-6 'AS' ?

Also, what does the 'AS' mean?

Thank you,
Andrew

[harrison987]

Hi Andrew

A Bf109 G6 was equpped with the regular DB605A enigne.

The DB605 AS was a more optimized version of the DB605 A using the larger DB 603 supercharger. It had a higher boot pressure as was more suited or high altitude interception.

There were other versions of the AS...such as the ASC and ASM, both taking advantage of the MW-50 and higher octane fuel (C3 as opposed to B4).

Mike

[Nick Beale]

The 109 experts here will tell you much more but there was also a notable change in external appearance as the new engine was encased in a different cowling, without the characteristic bulges that covered the MG 131 breeches on the G-6.

[kennethklee]

Originally Posted by Big Chudy

Can somebody please tell me how a Bf.109G-6 differs from a Bf.109G-6 'AS' ?

Also, what does the 'AS' mean?

Thank you,
Andrew

The difference between the Bf 109G-6 and Bf 109G-6/AS is the engine. The standard G-6 was powered by the Daimler-Benz DB605A engine, while the G-6/AS had the DB605AS powerplant. The basic difference between the two motors is that the DB605AS used the same supercharger as the larger DB603 engine, which increased power at altitude. The altered dimensions of the DB605AS engine required the cowling to be enlarged, and subsequently the cowling Beule ("bumps"; the enlarged fairings to accomodate the Mg 131 breeches) were smoothed over and made much more gradual and broader, same as the cowlings of the Bf 109G-10 and Bf 109K-4, to which it resembles.

The DB605AS was also used in the Bf 109G-5 and Bf 109G-14 and thus created sublines of Bf 109G-5/AS and Bf 109G-14/ASM. The "M" denotes that the Bf 109G-14/ASM also had MW-50 boost. Like the Bf 109G-6/AS, both of these versions had similarly larger engine cowlings and the same more gradually enlarged, broader fairings to accomodate the MG 131 breeches.

That's as much as I know about the differences. Perhaps others with more detailed knowledge of the features of the AS-engined Bf 109's and/or more knowledge of the DB605AS engine itself could chime in.

PS: I wrote and posted this before being aware that responses #2 and #3 had been posted.

[FalkeEins]

Having done a search and come up with nothing I thought I'd add my question to this thread as it seems appropriate.

First a translation; Jochen Prien refers to the 'refined' G-6/AS cowlings as 'Ballungen' - I can't come up with a translation, can anyone else ? or should I just stick with 'refined cowl' ?

Also could any forum member please help me confirm the first combat loss of a G-6/AS ? Looks like 8 May 44, Fw Felix Karenitz (or Karemitz ?) of 8./ JG 1 ..Any help or suggestions gratefully received..

cheers

[edNorth]

German language is full of words, that are just what they are - Likely referrring to a Bulge in this case - "Ball" (guess similar enlglish word ball, curve etc.) -ungen is just the (male?) ending.

http://en.bab.la/dictionary/german-english/ballungen

[Rasmussen]

Ballung is another word for Anhäufung or Ansammlung (like in the link from edNorth: "agglomeration"). An "Ballung" is not an sole bulge, it's an loads of bulges (my English is limited), it's more extensive, with more volume than an sole bulge. The word is "Ballung", the ending is "en" (plural).

[FalkeEins]

Originally Posted by Rasmussen

A "Ballung" is not a sole bulge, it's a collection of bulges it's more extensive, with more volume than an sole bulge.

Thanks Ed & Jörg - I like that definition..

any info on a first combat loss please ?

[Crimea River]

"Ballungen" = "Ballongen" = Balloons?

[Jochen Prien]

Neil,

the term Ballung described just the curved or square piece of sheat-metal riveted on the fuselage side(s) abaft the refined engine cowling, not the cowling itself. I have no sensible explanation why this word was chosen as it would not jump to your mind when asked to name this piece. On the other hand I cannot come up easily with a better suited term.

Like Jörg explained, it would best translate as conglomeration, the adjective geballt also meaning compressed. However, this part of the a/c-skin did neither conglomerate nor compress anything but to the contrary was hollow but for the necessary streaks. Its sole purpose doesn't conjur up any sort of conglomeration either. So I'm afraid we will have to live with it without really understanding what rode the Messerschmitt people back then to come up with this designation.

As for the first loss - this is difficult to tell since as you know the GQM- loss returns for 1944 are still AWOL so that we cannot know whether there was an earlier loss involving only the a/c.

Best

Jochen